Memorable accidents, and unheard of transactions containing an accout of several strange events: as the deposing of tyrants, lamentable shipwrecks, dismal misfortunes, stratagems of war, perilous adventures, happy deliverances, with other remarkable occurrences, and select historical events, which have happened in several countries in this last age. Translated from the French, printed at Brussels in 1691. and dedicated to his present Majesty William King of England, &c. Published in English by B.B.

The Memorable, but Ʋnhappy Retreat.

STanislaus Zolkierius, a Person of an eminent Extraction, dedicated himself to Arms so soon as he was well able to wield them, making his first Campaign under that Great Chancellor and Captain of Poland, John Zamoyski, who at the famous Battel of Byezin, which decided the contest between Sigismund and Maximilian con∣cerning that Crown in favour of the former, had the Honour to command the Right Wing of Zamoyskies Army, to the defeating of that Ene∣my which opposed him; in which Encounter he received a dangerous Wound in the Knee. His conduct in this Ingagement, soon after advanced him to be Lieutenant-General of Poland; during which command, he was imployed against the Rebellious Cossacks, whom after many doubtful Fights, he reduc'd to his own Terms: Of deli∣vering up their General, a common Souldier,

but of great Conduct, with three other princi∣pal Officers, into his Hands. He defeated the Swedes at Revel, and afterward being made Ge∣neral, he beat the Russians at Clusinum, entred Musko, forced Demetrius to quit his Siege, and led away the Emperour Zuiski, and his two Bro∣thers, Captives into Poland.

Being seventy years of Age, he was created Great Chancellor of Poland: He repressed the Tartars in their Invasion at Orimen, and soon af∣ter marched with his Army into Moldavia, to the Aid of Gratian the Vayvod, against the Turks, who so extreamly oppressed him, that he came in to Zolkierius with but six hundred Horse, and so satally negligent, that he could give no account of the Enemies number or force, even in his own Country; so that the General had no certainty till he saw them cover the sur∣rounding Fields with their numerous Hosts. He himself had Incamped upon the Plains of Cicora, determining in that place to attend their motions.

This was in September 1620. The Tartars who had joined with the Turks upon this occasion, having taken some Christian Prisoners, gained from them an Account of their Strength, which did not exceed Ten Thousand effective Men; whereupon they drew up within view of them, with an Army double their number, led by their Commander Cantimer Mursa. A few hours after they were followed by Skinder Bassa, Ge∣neral of the Turkish Army, who pitch'd their Tents near those of the Confederates, and like∣wise in sight of the Christians.

The Poles contained themselves within their

Trenches till a Squadron of Cossacks, who had the Out guard, Encountred that of the Tartars; whom after a smart dispute, they forced to a Re∣treat, but being relieved by their own Men, they turned upon the Christians, pursuing them up to their very Trenches, where they also be∣ing seasonably reinforced, opposed the prevail∣ing Enemy with so great Success, that having killed a great number, they chased them into their main Body, but giving no Quarter, did consequently take no Prisoners, and so made no discovery of the Enemies strength, insomuch that Zolkierius making his computation by what ap∣peared in view, and finding his Army chearful upon the Success of that days Action, resolved to put all upon the Fortune of a Battel. That Night there came to the Turkish Camp Sultan Galga the great Chams Brother, with a fresh Ar∣my of thirty thousand choice Souldiers, whereof Zolkierius had no knowledge, and therefore, ac∣cording to his former determination, he drew out his whole Army early the next Morning, and ranging them in Battel, strengthned both Wings with Forts made of his Waggons and Carriages, closed together on all sides, and fil∣led with Foot and Cannon, so that the Enemy could make no advantage of their numbers to infest their Flanks. Skinder Bassa on the other side seeing the Order of the Christians, drew his Army into a Line of Battel, placing only the Turks, Revolted Walachians, and Transylvanians, in view, the Auxiliary Tartars being placed out of sight, and commanded not to stir till a Signal was given them to move, which should be when the Christians were Ingaged. The Poles had in∣deed

ordered their Reserves, but by an over confidence advanced upon the Enemy, without the Protection of their Forts, contrary to the Generals Orders, which the Turks observing, the Tartars shewed themselves on the Right Wing, and extending that way, endeavoured to get be∣tween the Christians Camp and the Rear of their Army, which obliged Zolkievius to oppose against them his Reserves. The Fight was bloody and doubtful for two hours together, but the main Battel of the Poles having no seconds, (by reason of the diversion of their Reserves to defend the Rear) oppressed by the often repeated charges of the Enemies fresh Troops, though keeping them∣selves on the Left Wing, within the protection of their Forts, yet were no longer able to sustain the force of those multitudes that swarmed around them; they therefore faced about, and breaking through those Squadrons of Tartars who had got between them and the Camp, made their Retreat in reasonable good order, the Bar∣barians being checked in their pursuit by the Forts above-mentioned, which were still defend∣ed by the Poles. That on the Right Wing was violently assaulted by the Enemy, who killed three hundred of the Defendants, and took four of their Field-pieces. Neither had their success rested there but that the Christians valiantly ad∣vanced in this extremity, with their best Troops to their relief, obliging the Infidels, after a hot dispute, to a confused Retreat. The Fort or Castle on the other Wing was left unattempted, and Night coming on, the Enemy after a kind of drawn Battel, wherein there fell one thou∣sand of theirs, and about six hundred Christians; retreated to their Tents.

That Night and the next day passed with∣out any Action, the Poles in the mean time con∣sulted what to do in this Exigency, but could not readily come to any determination; during which, a Report was spread about the Camp that the chief Officers designed to steal away from the Army, which caused much disturbance, till the generous assurances of their Leaders had composed their Spirits, who vowed to live and dye with them. Zolkierius proposed in Council that they should next day try the Fortune of another Battel, wherein they might easily cor∣rect the Errors of the former Day; and being now informed of their own and the Enemies strength, they could better understand their ad∣vantages, having hitherto failed more in Conduct than in Courage, and if the Success should an∣swer the Attempt, they might then think of re∣tiring towards the Confines of their own Coun∣try, where they would be sure to meet with new Supplies, for the further prosecution of the War.

The very mention of another Battel surprized many of the great Persons, especially Alexander Kalinowski, Duké Corecki, and Nicholas Struse, three of the most Eminent Lords in the Army, who envying the Command of Zolkierius, were the more apt to oppose his Advice, especially in this juncture, when they must bring their Lives to an apparent hazard: They therefore abso∣lutely declared against it, and that there was no safety but in a sudden flight, by vvhich means they might avoid Death, or a Turkish Bondage, vvhich vvas yet more Terrible. And being re∣solved to put the Councils they had given in Exe∣cution,

that Night they took the first opportunity, after the Watch vvas set, to quit the Camp, pro∣posing to themselves, that by the favour of the darkness they might get over the River Prut, which covered the Rear of the Camp, before the Enemy could take the alarm of their departure; Gratian the Vayvod, for whose preservation the War was undertaken, went away with them, and having, by the number of their Train and Dependants, made a considerable party, they concluded themselves of Strength able, by the advantage of the Night, to break through all opposition.

There was a second Report spread in the Ar∣my, that the General himself was gone likewise, which carrying Terror with it, the inferior Offi∣cers and Souldiers were upon preparation for the flight also; whereof Zolkierius having speedy no∣tice mounted on Horseback, and caused many lighted Torches to be carried before him, shew∣ed himself to his Souldiers, surrounded their Quarters, spoke to every one he met, and incou∣raged all with his presence and chearfulness. He added, That he could not be guilty of so nefarious a Treason as to desert fo many brave Men his fellow Souldiers; that they had served too long under his Command, to conceive their General capable of so wicked an Act, as to sully all his Honour by so sordid a Retreat: That for his part, he had no other consi∣deration for his Life, but in order to their preserva∣tion, and since some (he must confess Eminent Per∣sons) had preferred their own Safety above all sense of Honour, he was glad they were gone, hoping they had carried away with them that Contagion of Cow∣ardice which might have infected the whole Army.

He also would wish them a good Journey, provided they would tell the King, and such of their Friends as should inquire after them, That they had Aban∣doned the Army and their General, in the Plains of Cicora, engaged against theirs and the Common Ene∣my of Christendom.

Though Zolkierius had harangued his Souldi∣ers in such Terms as these, and with a serene Countenance, yet he could scarce compose the Minds of those who were disturbed with Terror and Fear, and could not be obliged to return to their Duty, till a sence of the danger of their Disobedience obliged them to it: But they were wholly confirmed by the ill success of those Lords, and others, that had Deserted them, who by their Ungenerous flight had hastened, and not prevented, their own Ruine; for in passing the River, which was rather rapid than deep, many of them missing the Ford were over∣whelmed in it, Kalinowski himself perished in the Stream, and such as got over were most of them knocked on the Head by the Tartars, who Guarded that Post. Gratian and his Moldavians being skilled in the passage and ways got clear off, but being pursued by his ill Fate, had the recompence of his Infamous flight rewarded up∣on him by the Treachery of his own Servants, who murdered their Lord to possess themselves of what Treasure he had brought away with him. The rest of the party, after a vain attempt to pass the River, not daring to Land on the other side, wet, weary, and confounded with shame, came back to the Camp, which awhile before they had forsaken as desperate, reposing now all their safety in that of the Army.

The Poles by these losses, and the escape of nine hundred Cossacks, (who by a more lucky Fate than that of their Fellows, had broke through a neglected Quarter without opposition) being much weakned, and far unequal in strength to the Enemy, and not daring to attempt ano∣ther Fight, without manifest danger of losing all, they resolved upon a Retreat. They had lost many of their Horses, and more died daily for want of Forrage; they were harassed with Duty, and had no hope of Relief from Poland, being Besieged by a Barbarous Enemy, ready in their apprehensions to Storm their Camp every moment. Their Provisions were short, and no possibility of Supplies from without, all the sides of their Camp being Invested so, that it was impossible for them to subsist for want of Food, in expectation of Succour from their own Country; neither had the King, by reason of the Interruption of the Passages, received but one Letter from Zolkievius when it was too late, wherein he gave him an account of his condi∣tion, and how he had been unseasonably aban∣doned by some of the Army.

This was the State of Affairs in the Camp, while the Enemy without lay close upon them, and computing the distresses and disorders with∣in, by the Desertion of those that had left them, they were much raised in their hopes, despising all Proposals of quitting the place; so that Sept. 22. the whole Turkish Army was drawn up be∣fore the Camp, threatning a general Assault unless they instantly surrendred at discretion. Next day they did the like, and on the 26th. the Galga, or Prince of Tartary, approaching near

the Trenches was met by Duke Corecki upon Parole, who proposed an excessive Ransom for himself, and some few with him, and descending to some particulars for Rendition of the Camp, desiring only that the Souldiers might March away with their Swords, the Tartarian left them with Scorn and Anger, and clapping his Hand to his Scimiter, bid them expect no other condi∣tions than what the sharpness of that would afford them.

Zolkierius having throughly computed the State of his Affairs, resolved to quit the Camp, and having ordered all things accordingly, which took up three days time, being assisted in the Method of his Design by Martin Kasanowski, an old Experienced Collonel, Sept. 29. that part of the Wall through which the Camp was to pass being opened, the Army about Sun-set be∣gan its March in the following Order: On both sides a row of Waggons, as it were chained toge∣ther five hundred paces in length, drawn by their Horses, closed the Wings, the Front con∣sisting likewise of linked Waggons, took up three hundred paces, and the Rear being fenced with the like Barricado, together with the out∣side of the Camp, was fortified with Cannon. The Wounded, Sick, Baggage, and all the best Horses of the Army, were placed in the midst, while the Officers and Souldiers marched on the outside of the Camp with Colours flying, and their Arms ready fixt to resist any Assault.

The Tartars observing this order of the Poles, at first imagined they had drawn out to Fight, but when they discerned the whole Camp to move, and that no Man stirred out of his Rank,

they stood amazed at the Novelty, and the Night approaching, they durst only send out small parties to observe their motion, and so they marched two Moldavish miles that Night, without any disorder but what they received at the passage of a Lake, which yet did not much incommode them, since they were not eagerly pressed upon by the Enemy. Sept. 30. Skinder Bassa assaulted the Camp on all sides with his united Forces, but being repulsed with great loss, they marched yet two Moldavish miles more that Night, which is about Ten English miles. Oct. 1. The Camp being Lodged near a great Pool, continued there that whole Day and the Night following. The Infidels galled them ex∣treamly from the other side of the Water with their Shot, and from the open side by their Skirmishing, but were bravely repulsed with great slaughter of their Men. About Noon that Day they prepared for a fresh Assault, but instead thereof sent a Trumpet to the Camp to demand their Turkish Interpreter, that they might speak with him; which being granted, they only de∣tained him, making no attempt that Day. Oct. 2. The Turks having viewed the Camp, Stormed it with greater fury than ever, and be∣ing repulsed, returned fifteen times to the As∣sault. The Courage of the Defendants increa∣sing by their being able to resist, it did not suf∣fice them at length to make good their Station, but they followed the flying Enemy a good di∣stance from it, taking in the pursuit two Co∣lours and a piece of Cannon, having killed mul∣titudes of their Men. Towards Sun-set they be∣gan their March▪ with their Shot 〈…〉〈…〉

which must needs hinder their pace, and yet they had advanced fifteen English miles before Morning.

The next day having gained the advantage of a Rivolet, and heights of Ground, they easily repressed the violence of the Enemy, and took a Tartars Colours; they also eluded an Ambus∣cade, and continued their Journey that Night, strengthning their Camp by the Neighbourhood of a River.

Skinder Bassa considering that by these Night Marches the Prey might slip out of his Hands, and being sensible of the disgrace that would at∣tend him to suffer it, resolved to make an at∣tempt with the hazard of his whole Army, and consequently gave order for a general Assault: But the Tartars not seeming so forward as he ex∣pected, having already been so often rudely handled, and pretending the great difficulty of the Design, by reason of the posture of the Camp, seated upon the advantage of a River, whereby they would be able to bring more hands to the defence of those parts that were Assault∣able. The Inraged Bassa, impatient of Argu∣ments, turned hastily to his Janisaries, And are you also affrighted with the greatness of the danger, said he? And will you suffer this handful of Men to slip out of your hands for want of a vigorous attempt upon them? But they cried out, He should not reproach but Command them, for nothing was terrible to them but the Anger of their General. The rest of the Turks swayed by his example, would be of the party, prompted by an Ambi∣tion to do the Service with their own hands, without the Assistance of the Tartars. Armed

with these Resolutions they Assaulted the Camp from all their Quarters, and incited by a mix∣ture of Shame and Fury, broke in upon it in one place, carrying Terror into the Bowels of the Christians, notwithstanding all the resistance made against them; all their former Disputes and Conflicts seemed but Sport to this. The Turks hurried on by their Principle of Predesti∣nation, added to a Zeal of Gratifying their Ge∣neral, exposed their Lives without Discretion, to preserve the Footing they had gained in the Camp, doing more than Men in prosecuting the Advantage.

The Christians Armed with a Native Courage, and more Inflamed by their Despair, exceeded their Enemies, for despising their multitudes, and resolving to Conquer or Dye, they made a Charge upon those that had entred, with a fury suitable to the circumstance of their Affairs, and forcing the foremost back on their Fellows, made them contribute to their own Disorders; so that not being able to Rally, they were repel∣led with a great Slaughter, and having cleared themselves from this Storm, they continued their March that Evening along the Banks of the River for three miles, the Enemy Coasting them on the other side with an equal pace.

The Tartars having got before them, Oct. 5. lay directly in their way, but they having taken up a Resolution to surmount every difficulty, and being grown Skilful in this kind of March, broke through all the Resistance made against them, though with some disorder in the Rear, occasioned by the Fears of the Waggon-men which rendred them less exact and faithful i••

their Charge; but by the Valour and Conduct of Zemberg, who commanded in that part, the Enemy was Repulsed, and the Disorder being Regulated, they Marched two Miles that Day. They still continued to advance, and like a Wedge of Iron, divided their passage through the numerous Squadrons of the Turks, who clouded their very sight with their showers of Shot and Arrows, but since they could make no Impression upon them, they burnt up and de∣stroyed all their Grass and Forrage in the way, whereby they were extreamly incommodated, and by reason whereof, and their often Skir∣mishing, they were able to March but one Mol∣davish Mile a Day.

The Poles still followed the Banks of the River Tire, with a design to gain Mokilow, a safe Re∣treat after their tedious March. They were constrained to avoid the nearest way thither, as Mountainous and Boggy, besides great Woods in it, which would obstruct them in the manner of their motion, chusing for the sake of a more even passage, to go about by such a way as brought them within a mile of their desired Har∣bour. The Camp was in perfect order, and the Enemy tired with the repetition of their fruitless Attempts and Labours, had forborn to press upon them, being content to wait their mo∣tion with a few Scouts only. The Poles about the Evening of this seventh Day of their March, continued their Journey according to their former Method, and meeting in their way some Barns Stored with great quantities of Hay and Corn, many of them, but without Order, run to the Bait to supply themselves with Provisions for

their well nigh starved Horses: In the mean time the Van of the Camp began to March with∣out calling in their Forragers, or giving notice as they ought and used, to the Rear of their mo∣tion. The Rear, for want of the accustomed Sign, being thus separated from the Main Body, was seized on by a sudden Horror and Pannick Fear, which having affected some, was like Wild-fire spread through all: Their apprehen∣sions were various, but all upon the account of fear heightned by the darkness, and imaginary noises, concluding the Van was cut off, and that the Sword was at their Throats. The same Plague being carried over the rest of the Army, infected the whole in a moment with its Contagion; whereupon the Carters, Waggon∣men, Paddees and Servants; imployed about the Carriages, unlosed the Horses to save them∣selves by flight upon them, so that the whole Fabrick and Machine of the Camp being dissol∣ved, they could move no further. There was yet another cause that contributed to this Evil:

Upon the departure of Gratian, and other Fugitives, from the Camp of Cicora, the Rasca∣lity of the Army, with a mixture of Souldiers, Robbed and Plundered their Tents and Lodg∣ings, but being got on the Banks of the River Tire, they began to speak of it, and Koninkspolski the Lieutenant-General, had that very Evening very Imprudently uttered some threatning ex∣pressions about it. The number of the Guilty being many, they began to think of their proper safety, and the avoiding that punishment, which if they stood to it, would fall upon them; they

therefore, in great numbers, fled away from their Friends as well as from their Foes. These Wretches having begun a Tumult upon this oc∣casion, it was seconded by the dividing of the Camp, as is before declared: The confusion was so great, that Zolkievius, and the chief Officers about him, could not be heard, the variety of noises, with the apprehen∣sion of the danger, and the darkness of the Night, rendring the Army deaf to all his Com∣mands and Orders.

The Tartars being advertised by their Scouts, of these Disorders and Tumults, failed not to hasten thither, and catching hold of the advan∣tage given them by the Poles, prepared to it by their own fears, fell in among them with Shouts and Terrors. Zolkievius had commanded, that for the better safety of the Quarters, and incou∣raging of the Souldiers, That all Men should quit their Horses and March on Foot, wherein himself was the first Example; which was the Reason that so many of the chief Commanders fell, and were taken in that Encounter, for when the Rout was become so Universal that all Resistance was to no purpose, they perished up∣on the place for want of Horses to carry them off, except such as escaped by swimming, and so got away. Zolkievius's Son, with his Nephew, and Strusius, the two former being weak of their Wounds, and forsaken by their Coach∣man, were made Prisoners, and presented to the Tartarian Galga. Zolkievius had before taken an eternal farewel of his Son, and then having made a short confession of his Sins, was lost in

the confusion, and found dead next morning upon the Skirts of the Camp. Some say he caused himself to be killed by one of his Follow∣ers a Cossack chusing rather to perish with his Army than fall into the Enemies hands, or sur∣vive his own Glory; but the Wounds in his Sword-hand, on his Face and Breast, and a Tartarian laid Dead along by him, seem to de∣clare that he dyed Fighting. Skinder Bassa cau∣sed his Head to be cut off and fixed upon a Pike, exposing it for that day to the view of the whole Army, and afterward to be sent to the Signior his Master, as a Testimony of his Victo∣ry. The Lieutenant General Corecki, the young Zolkievius, with the other Prisoners of Quality, were sent to Constantinople, where after three years Imprisonment they were Ransomed, and returned to their own Country; and thus, like a Ship after a long Voyage sunk in the Har∣bour.

Zolkievius having through all the accidents of his Life proceeded regularly, from the Quality of a private Souldier to the Supream command of an Army, was raised by his own Virtue to those Honours which rendred him eminent in those parts of the World; neither was there any thing wanting to compleat his Glory, besides the success of this Unfortunate Retreat, which was reduced to that point, that there wanted but one hour to render him eminent among the most Illustrious Captains of Antiquity. It is held on all hands, that the most diffi∣cult part of Military Service is a Retreat, and it may be judged hard measure to deny Zolkievius the Honour of having acquitted

himself well in that particular, since he had brought it within view of the Harbour; but as the Honour of the Success had been intirely his if he had prospered, so his memory must be patient of this Cloud drawn over the lustre of it, by the failing of some mean Officer in omit∣ting to give the Signal of his March. But here did he fall, and was laid upon the Bed of Ho∣nour, in the extremity of his Age, refusing to live when he could not do it gloriously.

Skinder Bassa, either grown uneasie at the ac∣cession of this Victory, or that some great ones at Court were unworthily emulous of his Glory, had contracted many Enemies near the Grand Signior, who upon all occasions did him ill Offi∣ces, but finding that infection to work slowly, they corrupted some of his nearest Servants, who by the infusion of Poyson in his Drinks de∣stroyed him suddenly, so that he did not long survive the Unfortunate Zolkierius, being in this more Unhappy, That he expired in the quality of a Criminal, and that no certain ac∣count can be given of him, but that he Died in the year 1620.